Both carload and intermodal freight railroad volume had year-over-year increases in October, according to data released by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) today.

In continuing what has been a very strong year for the railroad industry, United States railroads originated 1,355,091 carloads of freight in October, which was up 1.8 percent or- 24,116 carloads-from October 2005. Intermodal volume-at 1,006,812 units-was up 1.9 percent-or 18,913 trailers and containers-compared to October 2005.

AAR director of editorial services Tom White told Logistics Management that railroad traffic levels have maintained and continued to make monthly increases, although the rate of increases have gone down compared to past years.

Intermodal, said White, has led the railroad industry’s growth for the past 25 years. But he noted that there was a bit of a slowdown in intermodal growth in October. This is especially true when compared to the intermodal growth that occurred in September, which was up 5.4 percent from September 2005 at 987,903 units shipped.

“Intermodal continues to lead the way, and we think that will continue to be the case long-term,” said White. “And overall traffic levels are remaining strong this year, which is our fourth straight record year.”

Nine of the 19 commodities tracked by the AAR had carload increases compared to October 2005. Coal was up 7.3 percent or 38,745 carloads, and grain was up 6.8 percent or 6,083 carloads.

Lumber and wood products, which continue to be affected by a slow housing market, were down 18.9 percent or 4,335 carloads, and motor vehicles and equipment were down 9.5 percent or 8,985 carloads.

Through the first ten months of 2006, total U.S. carloads were up 1.4 percent or 200,099 carloads for a total of 14,491,294 carloads. U.S. intermodal traffic, which is comprised of trailers and containers on flat cars (and not included in carload figures) was up 5.9 percent or 564,852 trailers or containers. Total volume through October was estimated by the AAR to be 1.44 trillion ton-miles, which is 2.7 percent ahead of last year’s pace.